Title-chasing Internacional are set to meet bottom-half Bragantino on Wednesday in Brasileiro action.
The hosts are undefeated in their last six games, while the visitors are winless in their last seven.
Match preview
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Internacional currently occupy second in the table, but trail Palmeiras by eight points, and as such need a win to keep the pressure on the league leaders.
The team should be full of confidence, winning five of their last six games and keeping four clean sheets in the process.
They also boast an impressive attacking output, with the second-best goalscoring record in the league, and top-scorer Alexandre Alemao will be the one to watch for the Bragantino defence, having scored two goals in his last three games.
In their most recent match, they defeated a struggling Atletico GO side 2-1 away from home, with striker Pedro Henrique scoring twice, highlighting the different attacking options Internacional have that will pose a big threat to their opponents.
Mano Menezes's side will also be boosted by having a brilliant home record this season, having lost at Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda on just one occasion.
A win for the hosts would see them consolidate their place in the top four, putting them in a good position to qualify for the Copa Libertadores group stage next season.
The visitors are 13th in the table as things stand, owing to a poor recent run of form that has seen them acquire four points in their last seven games, failing to win in the process.
There has been some cause for optimism however, with Mauricio Barbieri's side picking up what can be seen as good points against Palmeiras and Atletico MG in that time.
However, it will still be a big ask for the visitors on Wednesday night having struggled away from home this season, gaining just 11 points on the road.
Despite recent form, Bragantino are still well within reach of securing Copa Sudamericana football next season. However, they will also be wary of making sure they avoid relegation as they sit just six points above the relegation zone.
Team News
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Internacional will be without two key players heading into Wednesday's fixture in a big blow for Mano Menezes' side.
Goalkeeper Daniel remains out with an eye injury, having also missed the last game; his expected return date is not for a few weeks, so Keiller will get the nod in goal.
Wanderson is also expected to miss out with a thigh injury picked up in their last home fixture against Cuiaba, likely being available for selection again at the start of October.
Bragantino have some notable absentees of their own, with Jan Hurtado unavailable due to a thigh injury that has seen him sidelined since the middle of August.
Jose Hurtado is also missing with a thigh injury, with Bruninho still recovering from a sprained knee and not able to be selected.
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Keiller; Rene, Mercado, Vitao, Bustos; Patrick, Edenilson, Gabriel; Mauricio, Henrique, Alemao
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Aderlan, Ortiz, Souza, Candido; Evangelista, Raul, Artur, Ramires, Helinho; Alerrandro
We say: Internacional 2-1 Bragantino
Internacional are on a brilliant run of form at the moment, and we back them to continue it here given their impeccable home record.
Bragantino will not make it easy for them however, and have proven they can go toe to toe with the better teams in the league with their recent draw against Palmeiras. As such, we predict it to be a narrow victory for the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Dominic Lund
